On Monday, a Montana candidate received top billing from INDN's List, a national organization devoted to supporting Indian candidates in their bids for state and local offices.

Denise Juneau - candidate for Montana superintendent of public instruction - received the organization's top endorsement and was among six candidates across the country to make the list. Joey Jayne, candidate for state court district judge in Montana, also was among the six.

"I am thrilled we have so many qualified candidates to support this early in the cycle, especially with such an impressive candidate for statewide office," Kalyn Free, president of INDN's List, said in a statement released Monday.

INDN's list, an Oklahoma-based nonprofit organization, is noted for its endorsements. In the last two years, the organization has claimed a 79 percent win rate for its candidates, with 22 of 28 politicos winning their elections since 2006.

Free said about 60 Indian candidates are seeking office around the country. A number of those are incumbents. INDN's List is focusing on first-time candidates.

The organization's first round of endorsements includes these candidates: Juneau; Kevin Killer, an Oglala Lakota vying for South Dakota's House of Representatives; Todd Gloria, Tlingit-Haida, San Diego City Council; Jayne, who is Navajo; June Lorenzo, Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico state Senate; and Laverne Wyaco, Navajo, New Mexico state senate.

(Reach reporter Jodi Rave at 800-366-7186 or jodi.rave@;lee.net.)